2010 Commonwealth Games CSR preview

I have recently written a review of the overall CSR performance during the World Cup that was staged in July in South Africa. To continue that theme I’m going to try and preview and then review how major sporting events around the world manage their CSR programs. Everyone reading this will be familiar with the Olympic Games however depending where you are you may or may not be as aware of Commonwealth Games. Like the Olympics the Commonwealth Games take place every four years, cleverly not at the same time as the Olympics – common sense applies! The Commonwealth Games involve countries that sit under the umbrella of the ‘Commonwealth of Nations’ specifically countries that are or were part of the Commonwealth under the Crown of Great Britain (think Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India etc.) as a kid growing up we saw it as England’s chance to win some medals!

While not on the scale of the Olympics the Commonwealth Games is still perhaps the second-largest global gathering of nations for a variety of different sports. More than 70 teams take part and with the exception of World War II games have been held every four years since 1930 when the first games took place in Hamilton Ontario. Most recently in 2006 Melbourne Australia hosted the games and beginning October 3 this year Delhi, India will host the games over a 12 day span. In keeping with the Olympics, the World Cup and similar sporting occasions the host city always has to provide facilities and arenas at agreed-upon standards suitable for hosting the athletes and fans that will arrive for the games.

Delhi itself is buzzing at the anticipation of hosting the games which are historic for India as it is the first time the most populous nation in the Commonwealth has hosted the event. Simultaneously the country looks to emulate the emphasis on CSR first heavily noted at the Shanghai Olympic Games of 2008 and the World Cup this year as I mentioned. With the passing of each of these large events more is learned about the lifecycle of CSR in relation to these rather unique circumstances, and the findings from others will help Delhi to hopefully raise the bar. The partnership between the host city, transportation and distribution methods, marketing and accommodation and key support from event sponsors are all key factors in a successful integration of CSR for the event.

Commonwealth Games organizers in Delhi have announced a list of green measures which they are calling ‘ecological codes’ in tandem with their official statement that:

“Large-scale event entail a large consumption footprint, typically reflected in the large amounts of material requirements driven by construction activities, energy requirements, food consumption, water requirements, waste generation and travel requirements and leave a lasting impact on the environment, and such impacts are not necessarily restricted to the host city’

A blueprint for the games has been published which intends to meet the following requirements

• More than 50% of external lighting will be powered from solar panels
• Variable refrigerant flow system provided for air conditioning of residential accommodation
• Energy-efficient light fittings
• Pipeline natural gas driven turbines to supply the energy requirements of the stadium
• Waste heat generated from the turbine to be supplied to ventilated air methane system which will handle the air-conditioning for the stadium
• Solar-based lighting to be integrated within the sports complex
• In-house composting for organic waste
• Complete collection segregation and disposal system
• Wastewater recovery through sewage and effluent treatment plants
• Rainwater harvesting systems

On the surface it appears that Delhi’s preparation is in keeping with their commitment to host an event with a impressive green profile. They also have committed to LEED codes, carbon offset programs and will provide sustainability report in conjunction with October’s event. Away from the games this city has been actively promoting heightened public awareness concerning ecological issues; investing heavily in informing the public about issues such as global warming, biodiversity issues and a keen goal to rapidly improve air quality in the huge city which has 12.25 million inhabitants (making it the eighth most populous city in the world).

After the Commonwealth Games I’ll look back at how well some of the plans were implemented in conjunction with the publication of their sustainability report. To learn more please visit the official website of the CWG.